MIA - Ghana Gold - Sea Salt and Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate 73% Cocoa (bar) - Apr. 2, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

MIA
Ghana Gold - Sea Salt and Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate 73% Cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's MIA Ghana Gold - Sea Salt and Cocoa Nibs Dark Chocolate Chocolate 73% Cocoa (bar) was a product of Ghana and distributed by Kuanza Ltd. (London, UK).

MIA chocolate bars don't just contain cacao grown in Africa. Their finished chocolate is made in two African countries (Madagascar and Ghana). Only a small percent of chocolate bars are made from bean to bar in Africa.*

This Sea Salt and Nibs chocolate was part of the company's "Ghana Gold" series of bars (announced in 2022) made with Ghana cacao.*

Aroma notes included: chocolate (sweet cocoa), faint citrus (lemony herb, oxalis), and even faint cookie (graham cracker and coconut shortbread cookie).

The well-tempered smooth chocolate had a relatively slow, even melt (eaten in a cool room) and was interspersed with small crunchy flecks of cocoa bean (cocoa nibs). 

Flavor notes included rich cocoa (faint roasted mocha latte with a twist of lemon peel). The citrus was slightly sweet and had a mild tartness (faint lemon acidity and faint bitterness).

Too much salt can overpower more delicate cacao notes. That was not a problem with this relatively mild sea salt and nibs chocolate. If anything, a bit more cocoa (e.g. deep, dark brownie-ness) and sea salt might've helped to balance the inherent sweetness--that was relatively high for a 73% cacao chocolate with cacao nibs. (In defense of choices made with this bar, U.S. foods tend to have a lot of salt and sugar. You can always add salt if you need more. But, overly salty chocolate is very hard to fix.) 

Fans of less intense dark chocolate will enjoy the lighter touch this bar offers.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, cane sugar, cocoa nibs (7%), cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), salt (less than 1%). Minimum cocoa solids: 73%.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of tree nuts, peanuts and milk."

*MIA is a brand of Kuanza Ltd. (I'm guessing that MIA might stand for Made in Africa, but I could be mistaken.) While Africa produces the bulk (approximately 70%) of the world's cacao, only about 1% of finished chocolate is produced in Africa. 

Making finished chocolate "in country" (Ghana in this case) allows cacao farmers and producer communities to benefit from proceeds that normally flow out of Africa and into manufacturing centers in other nations.

MIA - Ghana Gold Fleur de Sel Milk Chocolate 48% Cocoa (bar) - Apr. 1, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

MIA
Ghana Gold - Fleur de Sel Milk Chocolate 48% Cocoa (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's MIA Ghana Gold - Fleur de Sel Milk Chocolate 48% Cocoa (bar) was a product of Ghana and distributed by Kuanza Ltd. (London, UK).

MIA produces chocolates (bars) made using cacao grown in Africa; and produces finished chocolate in two African countries (Madagascar and Ghana). Only a small percent of chocolate bars are made from bean to bar in Africa.*

This chocolate was part of the company's "Ghana Gold" series of bars (announced in 2022) made with Ghana cacao.*

The aroma notes were relatively uniform and included: sweet, milky cocoa and very faint salt dough. The texture was smooth and creamy. And this 48% cocoa bar had a sweet milk chocolate flavor and finish with a blush of caramel.

The salt was very subtle. (It was inherent in the fleeting salted caramel notes I tasted.) This milk chocolate may be most appreciated by those with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, cane sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), salt (less than 1%). Minimum cocoa solids: 48%.

Allergen-related information: Contained milk. "May contain traces of tree nuts and peanuts."

*MIA is a brand of Kuanza Ltd. (I'm guessing that MIA might stand for Made in Africa, but I could be mistaken.) MIA co-founders, Brett Beach and Sarah Lescrauwaet, lived in Africa for seven years. 

While Africa produces the bulk (approximately 70%) of the world's cacao, only 1% of finished chocolate is produced in Africa. 

Brett and Sarah saw an opportunity to make finished chocolate "in country" where the farmers and producer communities can benefit from proceeds that normally flow out of Africa and into manufacturing centers in other nations.

MIA Ghana Gold - Intense Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (bar) - Mar. 31, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

MIA
Ghana Gold - Intense Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 260 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week.

Today's MIA Ghana Gold - Intense Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa (bar) was a product of Ghana and distributed by Kuanza Ltd. (London, UK).

MIA produces chocolates (bars) made using cacao grown in Africa; and, more significantly, produces finished chocolate in two African countries (Madagascar and Ghana). Only a small percent of chocolate bars are made from bean to bar in Africa.*

This chocolate was part of the company's "Ghana Gold" series of bars (announced in 2022) made with single origin Ghana cacao.*

This bar had creamy, smooth texture. And aroma and flavor notes for this included: chocolate (rich cocoa, ultra-dark chocolate ganache) and vanilla (faintly aromatic vanilla pipe smoke). Enough vanilla that it conjured notions of chocolate + vanilla desserts. (But, there was no vanilla listed in the ingredients.)

The (Forastero-like deep, dense cacao) flavor was quite smooth, and not too bitter or acidic.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, cane sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), salt. Minimum cocoa solids: 85%.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of tree nuts, peanuts and milk."

*MIA is a brand of Kuanza Ltd. (I'm guessing that MIA might stand for Made in Africa, but I could be mistaken.) MIA co-founders, Brett Beach and Sarah Lescrauwaet, lived in Africa for seven years. While Africa produces the bulk (approximately 70%) of the world's cacao, only 1% of finished chocolate is produced in Africa. 

Brett and Sarah saw an opportunity to make finished chocolate "in country" where the farmers and producer communities can benefit from proceeds that normally flow out of Africa and into manufacturing centers in other nations.

Divine Chocolate - Smooth Dark Chocolate with Superfruits 60% Cocoa (bar) - Mar. 30, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Divine Chocolate
Smooth Dark Chocolate with Superfruits 60% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $6.50 for 1 bar

Purchased from: The Phoenix Shop, Big Sur, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week, featuring chocolates made with Ghana-grown cacao.

Today's Smooth Dark Chocolate with Superfruits 60% Cocoa (bar) was made in Germany, using cocoa from the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union in Ghana, and distributed by Divine Chocolate Inc. (Washington, D.C.). Divine is co-owned by Ghana cocoa farmers and maintains close ties to Ghana cacao producer communities. 

The aroma notes for this fruit-brightened, ultra-dark 85% cocoa bar included: rich chocolate (chocolate pudding, torte, ganache) and faint tart-sweet fruit (berries).

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate (smooth, roasted cacao, deep dark brownie) with interspersed with well-balanced bits of dried, tart-sweet red fruit (cranberry), dark berries, and faint nut. (There were no nuts listed in the ingredients.)

Berries are high in antioxidants called polyphenols.* And all three (dried) berries in this chocolate are known to contain high amounts of these polyphenols.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, dried cranberries, dried blackcurrants, dried elderberries, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin). (Cocoa solids 60% minimum.)

Allergen-related information: "May contain: milk, wheat, almonds, hazelnuts, coconut (and) pecans."

*Polyphenols are antioxidants that may relieve cellular oxidative stress in our bodies and lessen inflammation (anti-inflammatory).

Some animal and human studies on polyphenols have reported benefits in the following areas: neurological (degenerative disease slowing/prevention), cancer, bone health, and blood sugar regulation. 

MIA - Ghana Gold - Cashew Milk Chocolate 55% (bar) - Mar. 29, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

MIA
Ghana Gold - Creamy Cashew Milk Chocolate 55% Cocoa (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week.

Today's MIA Ghana Gold - Creamy Cashew Milk Chocolate 55% Cocoa (bar) was a product of Ghana and distributed by Kuanza Ltd. (London, UK).

MIA produces chocolates (bars) made using cacao grown in Africa; and, more significantly, produces finished chocolate in two African countries (Madagascar and Ghana). Only a small percent of chocolate bars are made from bean to bar in Africa.

This chocolate was part of the company's "Ghana Gold" series of bars (announced in 2022) made with single origin Ghana cacao.*

This bar had creamy, smooth very finely ground nut butter texture. And aroma and flavor notes for this included: cocoa (ganache), sweet green (honeydew melon), faint floral, and nut cookie.

The cashew milk helped moderate the sweetness of this 55% cacao chocolate; and the finish was relatively mild.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, cane sugar, cashews (12%), cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), salt. Minimum cocoa solids: 55%.

Allergen-related information: (Contained cashews.) "May contain traces of tree nuts, peanuts and milk."

*MIA is a brand of Kuanza Ltd. MIA co-founders, Brett Beach and Sarah Lescrauwaet, lived in Africa for seven years. While Africa produces the bulk (approximately 70%) of the world's cacao, only 1% of finished chocolate is produced in Africa. 

Brett and Sarah saw an opportunity to make finished chocolate "in country" where the farmers and producer communities can benefit from proceeds that normally flow out of Africa and into manufacturing centers in other nations.

MIA Ghana Gold Ginger Cashew Milk Chocolate 55% Cocoa (bar) - Mar. 28, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

MIA
Ghana Gold - Ginger Cashew Milk Chocolate 55% Cocoa (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Ginger Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week.

Today's MIA Ghana Gold - Ginger Cashew Milk Chocolate 55% Cocoa (bar) was a product of Ghana and distributed by Kuanza Ltd. (London, UK), and part of the company's "Ghana Gold" series of bars (announced in 2022) made with single origin Ghana cacao.*

MIA produces chocolates (bars) made using cacao grown in Africa; and, more significantly, produces finished chocolate in two African countries (Madagascar and Ghana). Only a small percent of chocolate bars are made from bean to bar in Africa.

Aroma notes for this bar included: chocolate sweet green, graham cracker and faint ginger spice and floral spice (similar to vanilla).

This smooth, creamy 55% cashew milk chocolate had pleasing cocoa, "milk" chocolate, mild nut and ginger flavor, and very faint, fleeting earth notes. (The ginger was in the form of added flavoring/"aroma" rather than pieces of candied ginger.)

This smooth "comfort food" chocolate was made using cacao from Ghana. The ginger warmth and milky cocoa flavor made it a great choice for a cold weather treat.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, cane sugar, cashews (12%), cocoa butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), ginger aroma (<1%), salt. Minimum cocoa solids: 55%.

Allergen-related information: (Contains cashews.) May contain traces of tree nuts, peanuts and milk.

*MIA is a brand of Kuanza Ltd. MIA co-founders, Brett Beach and Sarah Lescrauwaet, lived in Africa for seven years. While Africa produces the bulk (approximately 70%) of the world's cacao, only 1% of finished chocolate is produced in Africa. 

Most of the time cacao beans are shipped to other countries. Brett and Sarah saw an opportunity to make finished chocolate "in country" where the farmers and producer communities can reap more of the financial benefits--proceeds that normally flow out of Africa and into manufacturing centers in other nations.

Hummingbird Chocolate Maker - Candied Ginger Dark Chocolate 70% (bar) - Mar. 27, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Hummingbird Chocolate Maker
Candied Ginger Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA 

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Ginger Theme Week.

Today's Candied Ginger Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao (bar) was from Hummingbird Chocolate Maker (Almonte, Ontario, Canada).

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate (rich cocoa, ganache with light fermentation, light fruit acidity), and spice.

Both ingredients in this blend--the smooth dark chocolate and authentic, and the very slightly chewy, candied ginger--were of high quality. 

This bar was blessed with a generous helping of sugared ginger chunks and chips. The ginger flavor was balanced, not too hot and spicy, and didn't overwhelm the nuances of the dark chocolate (shades of Trinitario cacao variety (fruit) and very faint earth. No small feat with two potential flavor powerhouses.

The flavors were well executed and lingered pleasantly in the finish. This was an enjoyable, flavorful, well-crafted 70% (single origin)* chocolate bar, from a small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker self-described as "Industrious, Not Industrial." 

Maker's tasting notes: "Like a warm hug from a sassy friend, candied ginger adds a sweet and spicy zing to our single origin dark chocolate." 

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, candied ginger (ginger, cane sugar).

Allergen-related information: May contain: milk, nuts, peanuts.